I-League: SC Bengaluru and Dempo SC secure dramatic draws in their respective games

Both SC Bengaluru and Dempo SC fought back to secure crucial 2-2 draws in their respective matches, in I-League on Thursday.

At the Bangalore Football Stadium, SC Bengaluru overturned a first-half deficit against Rajasthan United FC with quick goals from Henry Kisekka and Chongtham Kishan Singh, only for debutant Maicol Cabrera Galain to equalize for the visitors.

Meanwhile, in Margao, Goa, Dempo SC took an early lead against Namdhari FC through Seigoumang Doungel, but Namdhari responded with goals from Akashdeep Singh and Cledson Carvalho Dasilva before Marcus Joseph struck late to salvage a point.

The results see Rajasthan United remain fifth with 20 points, Namdhari in second with 25 points, while Dempo SC and SC Bengaluru sit in eighth and tenth place, respectively.

SC Bengaluru 2-2 Rajasthan United FC

Rajasthan, sitting fifth on the table with 20 points, were eager to close the gap on the top four. However, they were left frustrated by the hosts, who have now taken their points tally to 13 points from 14 matches and occupy the 10thposition.

In the 12th minute, Rajasthan United’s captain, Alain Oyarzun, delivered a perfectly weighted corner to the far post, where Ronaldo Johnson rose above the defence.

Spotting the Bengaluru keeper Yuya Kuriyama off his line, Johnson expertly guided his header toward the near post, burying the ball into the net.

In the 61st minute, SC Bengaluru found their moment of redemption. A swift attack down the right wing saw a pinpoint cross delivered to the near post, where Henry Kisekka had cleverly positioned himself. With impeccable timing, Kisekka rose above the Rajasthan defence and directed a powerful header toward the far post, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

SC Bengaluru took the lead in the 64th minute. Captain Jibin Devassy orchestrated the play with a simple yet incisive pass to Chongtham Kishan Singh, who was lurking just outside the box. Without hesitation, Kishan unleashed a thunderous strike, the ball rocketing toward the right corner of the goal. Rajasthan keeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri dove desperately, but the sheer power of the shot left him with no chance.

In the 69th minute, Rajasthan United delivered a moment of magic to level the score once again. Debutant Maicol Cabrera Galain, who had just come on as a substitute in the 66th minute, made an instant impact in his first-ever I-League match.

With his very first touch, the Uruguayan showcased his class, receiving the ball on the left edge of the box. With a quick shift of his body, he curled a sublime right-footed finesse shot toward the far corner. The ball glided effortlessly past the outstretched hands of the Bengaluru keeper Yuya and nestled into the bottom right corner of the net.

Dempo SC 2-2 Namdhari FC

The match saw hosts Dempo SC taking the lead in the first half through Seigoumang Doungel only for Namdhari FC to rally back in the second half with goals from Akashdeep Singh and Cledson Carvalho Dasilva. However, a late equaliser by Dempo’s new signing Marcus Joseph meant both sides had to share the spoils.

The result left Namdhari in second place with 25 points from 14 matches. They are two points behind leaders Churchill Brothers. Dempo, on the other hand, would also rue their missed chances as they find themselves lingering in the eighth spot on the league table with 18 points from 14 games.

Capitalising on their home advantage, Dempo SC dominated the proceedings in the first half. Coached by former India international Samir Naik, the team built attacks from the back and their quick passing prevented Namdhari from establishing their usual controlled gameplay.

This also resulted in Dempo creating several chances but Juan Mera failed to make the most of them while Joseph’s shot hit the woodwork in the 40th minute. Dempo finally broke the deadlock at the stroke of half time. Pruthvesh Pednekar floated in a looping cross from the right. With Namdhari FC defence switching off momentarily, Doungel made an unchallenged run into the box to head home a wonderful goal.

The second half, though, saw a transformed Namdhari FC. They made some tactical changes by introducing fresh legs into the contest and it allowed the visitors to start dictating the pace of the game. Their midfielders began to weave passes together and pushed Dempo back into their own half.

The pressure soon told as Namdhari found their equaliser in the 65th minute. A beautifully orchestrated move from midfield saw the ball laid off to substitute Akashdeep Singh, who curled a stunning strike from the edge of the box into the top corner of the net.

Buoyed by their leveller, Namdhari continued to press and created more opportunities. While Jaskaranpreet Singh hit the post with a powerful right footer, David Mills was denied by Dempo goalkeeper Ashish Sibi in the 72nd minute.

Namdhari finally took the lead in the 83rd minute. A long ball was played into the box from the deep. Dempo SC defenders played a high line but Cledson beat the offside trap with a clever run before heading home his ninth goal of the tournament.

However, Dempo SC were not willing to concede defeat on their home turf. As the match neared its conclusion, they threw everything forward in search of an equaliser. Their persistence paid off in the 87th minute. Joseph took control of a long ball brilliantly before rounding off Namdhari goalkeeper Jaspreet Singh and deftly placed his shot between two diving defenders to score and salvage a point for his side on his Dempo debut.